SPORTING NOTES

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 71, Issue 6143, 1 October 1945, Page 3

SPORTING NOTES

ON RACING AND TROTTING BRIEF ITEMS FROM THE TRACK (By “Old Rowley”) Bronya Gets There The Paeroa course suited the Le Grand Due—Heiress filly, Bronya, and she was able to hang on long enough to take the first division of the Taumaiunui Stakes from the very promising Dougal. However, it is s.till a moot point as to whether she will prove a good proposition on a big course with a long straight, and it will be interesting to see how she fares now that she has struck winning vein for owner J. Alexander and mentor F. Smith. Another for F. Smith

The Takanini trainer also supplied the winner of the second division of the Taumarunui Stakes in the wellbred Balgowan which looks like becoming one of the topflight three-year-olds as the season advances. Strangely enough, although he has shown more promise, he was nowhere near as well supported as Bronya.

Two Wins for Waikato M.P. Balgowan, whom I mentioned above, is owned by the Waikato M.P.. W. S. Goosman, and he also won the open sprint, the Flying Handicap, with Representative, who is now trained by J. Muir. From the looks of things Mr Goosman should have - no trouble in at least paying the feed bill for his large string of thoroughbreds this season, and reports have it that this owner has a juvenile or two which may have a say in the classics.

Two for Harvey Evans The persistent owner trainer Harvey Evans again bobbed up, on his home course this time, to take the Poland Cup, chief open handicap on the Ohinemuri Jockey Club programme, with Betterman, and followed this up by winning the second division of the Brenan Memorial Hack Handicap, 11 miles, with Bettermusk. By judicious placing and a fair share of the luck of the game Mr Evans seems to have made a cheap hobby of racing, for he generally rakes in a fair stake or two during the season which should just about cover outgoings.

Very Consistent Dark Morning had to be content again on Saturday last with a minor placing, being beaten in the Glenaray Hack Handicap, 11 miles, by Silver Rod. This six-year-old Baffles—Lady Willonyx gelding, showed very consistent form last season and in addition to notching a couple of wins ran many minor placings. Certainly the stakes were not very big, for he is still running in hack class. Nevertheless his connections evidently use their intelligence and are not inclined to over-reach themselves in placing their charge. Whether he would be up to good open company standards is hard to say, but if started in a middle-dis-tance open race where the company is not too strong he should prove a tough proposition. A Smart Sprint Although he has shown good form this season, it was thought that Lord Coronach would find the open sprint at the Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club meeting a very tough proposition with sprinters of the calibre of Royal Heir, Koi Ragi, Poutatau, Royal Greek and Lord Thieo engaged, but he upset calculations by running a very fine race and it looks as though he will have to to top off Lord Thieo and Skyhawk, enter calculations if taken to Trentham later in the month.

Not Very Encouraging The supporters of Regal March were given a poor run on Saturday last when the Dink—Royal Tray mare failed to show much dash at all. After all it could by no means be called a first rate sprint field and she will need to show more ability to be a logical contender for the big metropolitan sprints. Much Ado

Verily the makers of odds did chuckle and there was a low moaning issuing from the dwellings of the takers soon after the hour of one had struck on Saturday afternoon last. For Tiger Tan, against all the “best!” information, had gone and won the seven furlongs and sixty yards Ngatea Handicap, instead of waiting and winning the open sprint at Paeroa in order to enrich many worthy citizens who are always willing to subscribe to a “good thing.” However, a little thought might have suggested that the connections of the Cambria Park —Lysis gelding would be interested to see how he fared over the distance, especially if they have the Shorts Handicap in view at the Mitchelson Cup meeting in a couple of week’s time, and Tiger Tan is nominated for that race. Well there it is, information versus luck, and “Old Rowley” will take the luck any time.